DIY Organic Baby Food Here is a simple guide to starting your little hungry hippo out right... The task of making you own baby food can seem daunting , but in fact its pretty easy! All you need is the right tools and right tips and you'll be wipping up puree's like the Gordon Ramsey of  the baby world in no time!  I always knew I would want to try and make my own baby food and after reading how most store bought baby food has MSG in it...yes, thats right MSG and a ton of other additives ( see link here...http://www.thealphaparent.com/2013/02/the-truth-about-baby-food-jars.html) I knew making my own was the best option. Not to mention it really saves you a lot of money! Those little jars add up fast! Every baby is different and will be ready to start solids at different times (Usually around 6  months) , so just watch your baby and look for signs they may be ready such as: grabbing at your food, watching you eat ( this gets kind of weird and awkward by the way, Every time you put something in your mouth your little one will stare at you with beady eyes and watch you eat every last morsel...), can sit up in a high chair or bumbo, making "chewing motions" with their mouths. Some tools I recommend:  Rice cooker/ steamer: These babies are awesome! They are super handy to help steam those veggies to make a puree and you can cook your own dinner in them! So worth investing in, and you can find some amazing deals on amazon! Or search on a swap and sell group on Facebook if your on a tight budget! I prefer  steaming the veggies rather than boiling because it doesn't take as many of the nutrients away and way easier in my opinion! Baby Bullet: ( or some kind of food processor with a "mill" blade option.) Register for one, search local thrift stores, borrow one from a friend with grown kids...what ever you need to do to get your hands on one of these handy dandy tools!  Veggie wash:  I like the honest company wash because its conveinent, or you can make your own....http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Organic-Fruit-and-Vegetable-Wash This step is important because even if its organic, and you are taking the skin off there can still be some pretty nasty things on them.     I like to get all my organic produce from Sprouts Market. I feel they have the widest  selection of organic fruits and veggies, but there are many other places. I also like to stock  up so that I can do one huge batch and be good for awhile since you can store baby food in the freezer for 2-3 months.       The other question I found myself constantly googling was "what foods to start with and what is safe?" Most people start off with baby cereal. In my opinion I was not that impressed with the nutrition of the rice cearal and grains can be very hard for them to digest, so some skip it all together. I tried rice cereal for one week to get my babe used to this whole "food" situation and then moved on to baby oatmeal. Making your own is VERY easy and WAY better than buying then box kind (even the organic box kind has some added ingredients.) Once my babe was getting the hang of things I moved on to purees because of the nutionial value. I still make some baby oatmeal in the mornings mixed with some purees.  here is my list of "beginner fruits and veggies" for your new little foodie to try! -Short grain brown rice ( buy the dry organic kind, doesn't have to be quick or instant) - Organic oats ( the regular big kind, we also did gluten free ) -Sweet Potato  -Avocado -Zucchini  -Squash  -Carrots  -Pears -Banana  -Apples  Keep in mind that you want to introduce new foods one at a time, and give it a few days before adding something new...so that if they do have a reaction you will know exactly what it is. These foods are considered extremely low on the food allergy list, hence why they are great starting foods! So try some sweet potato for a few days and if all goes well, add some zucchini into the mix ...ect! TIP: I  recommend doing a lot of veggies first before fruits, then they want always be wanting/expecting the sweet ones.  How to make Rice Cereal/ Baby Oatmeal:  Take your baby bullet and place the "mill" blade in the bottom...it has only two blades and they are not risen like the regular puree blade. Take one cup of long grain rice, or once cup of oatmeal and dump it inside the bullet. Turn on and mill away, until completely smooth and no little lumps or chunks appear ( double check by sifting with a fork. ( PS: this is VERY loud and might back your baby cry....well it did mine.) Once smooth store in an airtight container in the fridge.When ready to serve  bring a half cup of water to boil in a small pot. Sprinkle in 2 TBS spoons of the ground rice cereal or oatmeal. Whisk for 30 seconds or until smooth and creamy constancy. Allow to cool and serve! ( You can also add a little breastmilk once it is cooled. This also helps the baby be more interesting because it taste and smells similar to what they have always had!)  How to make sweet potato puree:  ( I like to start with the sweet potatoes because they take the longest. While they are cooking I work on the other goodies) Preheat oven to 400, and line a baking sheet with foil. Place as many sweet potatoes as you want/can on the sheet.    Then take a fork and stab all the potatoes multiple times on both sides.(this helps them cook faster!)  Bake in the oven for 60 mins or until tender all the way through. Test with a  fork or knife. Take them out and let them cool off for about an hour. Once cool, you should be able to easily peel the skin off. You should be left with just the soft inside of the potato. Take your baby bullet ( or food processor) and attach the regular blade( one with 4 risen blades) place 2-3 sweet potatoes ( depends on how big they are,don't overload the machine...) and mush them down a little with a fork. Add some purified water about 3 tablespoons to start and blend away.  Add as much water as needed until you get a smooth constancy. ( you can also use breastmilk/formula but I like to add it just before I am feeding it to the munchkin.) Pour into the silicone baby bullet molds or icecube trays, cover and place in the freezer.  Then just repeat until all your sweet potato has been pureed! Once they are frozen place in freezer safe bags, label with date and bam your done!  I take one or two out and place them in the regular baby bullet cups and stick those in the fridge to thaw for the next day.  TIP 2: I always serve it cold out of the fridge...you can heat it up in the microwave or over the stove but you will be zapping more nutrients out of it and its not very convenient. My little one has never had a problem eating it right out the refrigerator  How to steam and puree the rest of the produce:  Fill the bottom of your rice cooker with water to the "steam" line. place the steamer basket on the top. Wash all fruit and veggies according to your wash directions.  Take a peeler and peel the skin off ( even the pears... you can leave a little on the zucchini its easy for them to digest but I don't love the consistency  so I take most off!)  Cut the ends off.    Place veggies or fruit in the basket. Set steam time for 15 minutes. Once done check to see if they are tender, if not keep on steaming.  Once tender place a cup or less at a time ( depending the size of your veggies) in your bullet with the regular blade attached. Add  water as needed or until consistency is smooth and non chunky.  TIP: zuchinni and squash and some other veggies have a VERY high water content so you shouldn't need to add any water...they are more on the runny side so I like to add them to thicker purees, like sweet potato or carrots . Pour into silicone containers or ice cube trays. Freeze then transfer to freezer safe bags, label, and take out to thaw in fridge as needed.  There is no need to puree or cook some food, such as avocado or banana. Produce that is already naturally soft you can just scoop into a bowl and mush with a fork! Easy peasy!  ' WHELLA! you are now a baby food pro! OK ok you still have a long road ahead but this is a great start. Enjoy this time with your baby, its so fun to watch the excitement and hilarious facial expressions as they discover these new tastes and textures. Pretty soon they will be wanting to feed themselves and grabbing, and chewing like big kids.   Last tips: -Don't be to afraid of choking, they have amazing gag reflexes!   -Now is the time to try and introduce a sippy cup with a little water ( they don't need much!) I love the playtex starter cups we got. They have handles and comes with two option lid. It also has a tiny filter so that they don't gulp to much all at once. Check them out by clicking the button down below. - Things get VERY messy VERY quickly, so learn to laugh at the fact that you actually did your hair and make up and now you have zucchini all over you...( really though, it happens EVERY time!), and invest in a good plastic bib that is easy to clean!  Happy eating!! -Kristen  ~Feel free to comment below with anymore questions!~ Check out the sippy cups!

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Reasons to add more coconut oil to your life/ Coco Corn Recipe

Reasons to add more coconut oil into your life...especially you mom's! We all have heard about coconut oil and its supposed "miracles"..it seems to be quite the trend lately, and I will fully admit that I jumped right on that train...but I have been researching more about this "miracle" oil and I have to say...Im pleased to be following this "fad" for once. I have discovered some amazing benefits that I didn't know before, especially for mommy and  baby! Here are some reasons that I am adding more coconut oil in my life and maybe why you should too... - Helps increase milk supply - It is said that consuming 3 1/2 tablespoons daily will help increase your supply...      I have been consuming this amount along with tons of water for the last 4 days and have totally noticed a boost in my supply! I replace anything that calls for butter with coconut oil, add a little to a cup of coffee in the morning, or drizzle some on my popcorn...( recipe down below)  -Heals cradle cap and dry skin on baby- Using a  soft tooth brush (or regular baby hair brush)  and a dime size amount of coconut oil the babies scalp and gently scrub the dry patches. Pat dry with a soft towel.      This totally works! I did this for my sweet girl when she was about 4 weeks and started getting a case of mild cradle cap,  I did this twice and it was gone! And her head smelled so yummy :) -Helps build immune system naturally- It contains natural anti fungal and anti bacterial properties that help build the immune system, naturally of course.     I have literally the worst immune system. We could be in the same building and be ten floors apart...you sneeze and I'm sick.But I have noticed a dramatic change in my health in the last 6 months, I have rarely been sick and even when the hubby came home with something from work I didn't catch it. I totally attest this to eating healthier, cutting out gmo food, essential oils, and consuming coconut oil daily. -Healthy fatty acids crucial to a mothers milk- Everyone is so "anti-fat" nowadays but the fact it you NEED fat..HEALTHY fats that is...coconut oil contains some of the healthiest fatty acids you can find. This is essential to the breastfeeding momma, it helps the babies developing nervous systems and pretty much everything else that amazing baby is doing.          I can't stress enough how important these fatty acids are...I know moms want to "loose that baby weight" but consuming  these HEALTHY fats will actually help you loose!(Seriously, go look it up!)  I try and have avocado and coconut oil everyday.  So those are just a few of the many reason I am adding more coconut oil to my life. I mentioned it before but I got a big container coconut oil from costco for a great deal! Always make sure you are buying extra virgin organic, ( not refined.)  Now one indulgent way I throw some coconut oil into my life is my "Coco Corn"...      Ok ladies, this treat if for those nights when the baby is asleep, your hubby is out and you are watching "that show"...you know the one that you would be mortified if people knew you really watched. The one where when people discuss it you pretend not to have any interest in ( even though you so badly want to correct them when they are talking about a situation or character incorrectly or in the wrong context... get it right people!! ) Its ok we all have that show, not that I am going to admit what I am watching :) I also think I have more cravings now that I did when I was pregnant....seriously I never stop thinking about baked goods and salty sweet goodness...SO this is how I feed that desire in a somewhat "healthy" way or else I might end up in a donut shop with cinnamon sugar all over my face crying... *Shout out to my awesome Sister for originally sharing this recipe with me! I added my own flare with the cocoa powder...Thats what I love about this recipe...you can totally make it your own by adding some fun ingredients! * Ingredients: -1 cup Whole kennel popcorn -2 tbs of coconut oil ( or more) -A few sprinkles of coconut sugar ( I never measure this out, I just sprinkle on that goodness as much as my heart desires, haha just kidding...kind of. -Few good pinches of pink Himalayan salt -Sprinkle of cocoa powder ( totally optional...but its gooood !) Pop the popcorn in your air popper, and scoop some coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl. Melt that coconut oil to liquid form. Take about half of the popcorn and place it in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle some of the coconut oil on top ( careful to not get it to wet and mushy, but this is what allows the other ingredients to stick).  Sprinkle some of the coconut sugar, salt, and coca powder( the amount is up to you and how much you want on your popcorn) and mix gently with your hands...then lick your fingers( WHAT, I know your going to...) and set that popcorn aside...add the rest of the popped corn and mix it around with whats left at the bottom of the mixing bowl. Then add more coconut oil and ingredients of desired. Now take that bowl, grab a glass of wine...OR water.(what ever floats your boat), put your feet up and watch that silly show while you scarf down the goodness. ENJOY!

Mock- "Justins" Peanut Butter Cups"  gluten,dairy,soy,and egg free. Plus non-gmo and organic! ( Easy Recipe)  I LOVE chocolate...and I LOVE nut butters! Who doesn't? Can I get an amen?!  I used to down Reese's peanut butter cups like nobodies business until I had to cut out gluten,dairy and soy for the little miss. Not to mention discovering how bad they really are for you! ( Seriously..these are way better. DITCH those cups!) That's when I discovered the wonderful world of Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut-butter cups! They are like heaven and taste a million times better then Reeses( check them out here http://justins.com/item/dark-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-single/.) Needless to say I became a TAD addicted....ok REALLY addicted. One night after downing about 4 in a row ( don't judge me), I realized I could probably make something similar for a lot cheaper and a little healthier. I was also trying to incorporate more coconut oil in our diets so that's when my brilliant ( ha-ha, who am I kidding...more like chocolate addicted) mind came up with these bad boys! Super easy and super delicious! Not gonna' lie I ate all of them in one night....yeah, their that GOOD!             You will need:  -Muffin Tin -Large pot -Heat safe bowl -Measuring cups -Whisk             Ingredients:  - 6 Tbs Nut butter (you can use what ever kind you'd like! I chose cashew this time) - 1 cup Chocolate Chips of your choice ( I use Enjoy Life mini chips because they are gluten,dairy,soy and other allergen free! Plus non-gmo -2 Tbs Organic Coconut Oil ( love this big one I scored from Costco!) So, I start by measuring a cup of chocolate chips. Now you have a choice to either melt it all now, or just do about half and melt the rest in a bit. If you just want to reheat the chocolate for the second layer go ahead and dump them all in your heat safe bowl. Then place your heat safe bowl in your pot and place on the stove over medium heat.  I then add my coconut oil..( 1 tbs if you divided your chocolate chips in half. If not dump all that goodness in.)  Whisk together until melted into a chocolate sauce. ( PS: this mixture also makes amazing hard shell for frozen treats!) Next your going to pour half the chocolate  (all if you divided up your chips) into each muffin tin cup. You want to make just a thin layer for the bottom of your cups. Then place it in the freezer to set for about 10 mins or until firm.     Once its firm I then take a dollop of nut butter ( this is really a preference thing, I didn't measure exact...Depends on how thick you want your nut butter layer to be...) and place it on top of the hardened chocolate, being careful to keep it in the middle and not cover the edges ( or else you will end up with more of a nut butter cup sandwich..which would still be good! ) and then place it back in the freezer. ...If you have not melted the rest of the chocolate, now is the time. Same way as before. I then pour the rest of the chocolate (reheat if it has hardened) on top of the nut butter layer and back in the freezer it goes until they are hard ( around 20 mins)   That's it! Super easy and fast! I keep them in the freezer until I am ready to eat them and pop them out with a butter knife. Because they are made with coconut oil they melt a little easier so keep a napkin close by...or just be ready to lick your fingers... Enjoy! Blessings, Kristen

You know your scentsy consultant when...

"Consultant-isms" Being a Scentsy consultant is awesome...but being a consultant you experience quite a few things while working your business...      Being a consultant for Scentsy has been amazing and has provided a way for my family to live our organic lifestyle.  My hubby works extremely hard to provide for our family while I stay at home to raise the sweet pea, but I love that scentsy has provided extra funds for date nights, diapers, and it has helped us maintain our "organic" lifestyle. Being a stay at home mom, is wonderful but sometimes you want something of your own, something you can put your effort into during those nap times ( when and if they happen..am I right ? ) and scentsy has provided just that  for me. Over the last year I have fallen more in love with the company and products and grown my business...I love doing parties and chatting with people and answering questions and comments...but with that comes some interesting thoughts, feelings, and actions only a scentsy consultant would understand...thought I would share some (satirically of course, hehe!)  You know your a scentsy consultant when.....  -You graciously smile while someone is informing you that you have been sucked into a "Pyramid scheme." ... Well that "scheme" has provided a lot of diapers, date nights, organic treats and helps support my family...so I will gladly climb that "Pyramid"!  _____________________________________________________________________ - You die a little inside, and hold yourself back from screaming "NOOOOO!"  when someone says" Oh, ill just grab a bar for the warmer at "such and such", its a little cheaper".... ...Ok you enjoy that store brand stale chocolate, while I enjoy that Ghirardelli supreme for a lot longer... ___________________________________________________________________________  -You cringe watching someone ahead of you buy a bunch of scented candles... if only they knew.... _______________________________________________________ - You laugh inside when you are passing around scents and someone goes "EW, that smells disgusting" ... because you had someone order that exact scent in a bar, scent circle, room spray,  and lotion last week.  ________________________________________________________________________ -  Your chatting with someone about your business and hand them a catalog and they look at you like your a Jehovah's witness  trying to hand out pamphlets... ...its just a catalog people.... ______________________________________________________ - someone claims "I'm not really a scent person" and you can't help but react with... ...... Are you human? Do you not have nose? _______________________________________________________ - You try not to get overly weird and excited when someone says they will host a party... ...Hold it in, hold it in..."I'M SO EXCITED!!" _______________________________________________________________________ -you look like this when waking up to a see you have a ROO  (random online order)... ...THE BEST! _______________________________________________________ -and last but not least....this is you when putting in an order of the last day of the month... ______________________________________________________________________________      I hope you got a good laugh. Honestly though I love being a consultant and wouldn't trade it for anything! I love all my costumers and appreciate your support always! You can check out my scentsy site for more info or to order :)  Click Here to Check Out My Site                               Blessings, Kristen